the language of light in painting and film
TRANSCRIPT
In art, light is emotion
The color of something depends on the light.
What captivates us about the woman? The backlighting on her hat, and the veiled shadow across her eyes.
(Johannes Vermeer, 1665)
Kathe Kollwitz
Early filmmakers evolved their vision out the tradition of painting - this case creating pools of light.
Gerhard Lamprecht, 1921
Language of Film
artists influence filmmakers, filmmakers influence artists
Composition:
cropped, staged, high angle, low angle, close-up, long shot
Space & depth: deep or shallow
Light:
Single source, multiple source,
backlight, glowing light,
reflected light
Shadow: chiaroscuro shadow, cast shadow, dappled shadow
Mood: Monochromatic color, images in motion
staged composition
creates a big shape
Composition: Staged
Composition: Staged
Composition: Cropped
Close-up
Close-up
Long Shot
Long Shot
Long Shot
High Angle (looking down)
Low Angle (looking up)
Shallow Depth of Field
(only one thing in focus)
Shallow Depth of Field
(only one thing in focus)
Deep Depth of Field
(both near and far are in focus)
Deep Depth of Field
(both near and far are in focus)
Deep Depth of Field
(both near and far are in focus)
Reflected Light
Light reflected off the ground
Reflected Light
Light reflected off the ground
Reflected Light
Light reflected off the ground
Chiaroscuro Light (the object emerges from deep shadow
Chiaroscuro Light (the object emerges from deep shadow
Chiaroscuro Light (the object emerges from deep shadow
Dramatic Single Source Light
Dramatic Single Source Light
Complicated Multiple Source Light
Complicated Multiple Source Light
Complicated Multiple Source Light
Glowing Light
Spiritual, mystical, magical, the light is coming from the object, not reflected on it
Glowing Light
Spiritual, mystical, magical, the light is coming from the object, not reflected on it
Glowing Light
Spiritual, mystical, magical, the light is coming from the object, not reflected on it
Glowing Light
Spiritual, mystical, magical, the light is coming from the object, not reflected on it
Glowing Light
Spiritual, mystical, magical, the light is coming from the object, not reflected on it
Cast Shadow
Simple or complex
Cast Shadow
Simple or complex
Cast Shadow
Simple or complex
Cast Shadow
Simple or complex
Cast Shadow
Simple or complex
Dappled Shadow
soft, multiple patterns
Dappled Shadow
soft, multiple patterns
Monochromatic light
creating a strong mood
Monochromatic light
creating a strong mood
Monochromatic light
creating a strong mood
Monochromatic light
creating a strong mood
Image in Motion
edges blurred
Image in Motionedges blurred
Reflected Light
reflected in a mirror, multiple points of view
Reflected Light
reflected in a mirror, multiple points of view
Reflected Light
reflected in a mirror, multiple points of view
Backlighting creates a ‘halo’ behind the object, and emphasizes the silhouette
Backlighting creates a ‘halo’ behind the object, and emphasizes the silhouette
Backlighting creates a ‘halo’ behind the object, and emphasizes the silhouette
light against dark, and dark against light.
George Seurat, charcoal.
Translation of value -light against dark, and dark against light.
Composition
Cropped / Staged
High Angle / Low Angle
Close-up / Long Shot
Space
Deep Depth of Field / Shallow Depth of Field
Light
Direct Light / Reflected Light
Single Source / Multiple Source
Backlight (Halo) / Key light (Highlight)
Chiaroscuro light
Dreamy Light / Glowing Light
Cast Shadow / Dappled Shadow
Image in Motion
Action Sequence / Blur